Johnson & Johnson is facing a lawsuit in California filed by a woman who alleges that she developed mesothelioma as a result of using the company’s talcum powder products. Legal experts say that the case has the potential to expand the talcum powder litigation facing Johnson & Johnson, which is already facing thousands of lawsuits over the link between Johnson’s Baby Powder and an increased risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally-occurring mineral that was once widely used for insulation and heat-resistance before its carcinogenic properties became known in the 1970s. Because asbestos and talc are often found close together when they are mined, Johnson & Johnson and other talcum powder manufacturers were ordered by the federal government to ensure that their products were asbestos-free in the 1970s.

According to the lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson, Tina Herford was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a disease caused by exposure to asbestos. The lawsuit alleges that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products were contaminated with asbestos, causing Herford to develop the disease. Herford alleges that Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc America – the company that supplied the talc used in Johnson & Johnson talcum powder brands – are liable for her mesothelioma diagnosis for failing to ensure that the talc was asbestos-free.

Ronald Gordon, a pathologist who testified at the trial, said that Herford had both talc and asbestos particles in the lymph nodes connected to her lungs, as well as talc particles in her lungs. The pathologist testified that based on the amount of asbestos in the tissue sample he collected in Herford’s lymph nodes, she may have as much as 14,525 asbestos fibers per gram of lymph node tissue in her body.

Gordon also said that he was certain that the asbestos fibers in Herford’s lymph nodes were caused by direct exposure to asbestos. He based this conclusion on the size of the asbestos fibers, which Gordon testified were too large to be caused by background exposure to asbestos particles in the environment.

Johnson & Johnson is also facing more than 5,000 lawsuits filed on behalf of women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer or uterine cancer after using the company’s talcum powder products. Multiple studies have linked the use of talcum baby powder for feminine hygiene to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers about the cancer risk associated with talcum powder despite the fact that the company has known for decades about the potential risk.

Talcum Powder Lawsuits Filed by Heygood, Orr & Pearson

If you or a loved one used talcum powder for feminine hygiene and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson or other companies involve in the manufacturing of talc products. The first step in taking legal actions is to talk with an attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and guide you through the steps in filing a claim.

The lawyers at Heygood, Orr & Pearson currently represent dozens of women who have contracted ovarian cancer following long-term exposure to talcum powder. Our law firm has also filed numerous product liability lawsuits on behalf of our clients, including cases involving defective medical products, dangerous drugs, faulty medical devices, and other commercial products.

For more information about filing a talcum powder lawsuit and to find out if you are eligible to file a case, contact the lawyers at Heygood, Orr & Pearson by calling toll-free at 1-877-446-9001. You can also reach us by filling out the free case evaluation form located on the left side of this page.